Dan Aykroyd & Bryan Adams to Meet in Oz

Summertime Entertainment recently announced the official casting for its upcoming 3D animated film, “Dorothy of Oz”, and it appears Kingston born singer-songwriter Bryan Adams will be meeting Kingston area resident actor Dan Aykroyd on the yellow brick road.

However it’s more probable that the two will actually meet at the film’s eventual red carpet premiere, since those involved with movie will likely not see each other while providing voice talent for its animated characters.

Academy award-nominated Dan Aykroyd will be voicing the Scarecrow, who sang “If I only had a brain,” but has now learned one should be careful what they wish for, as he now finds himself in a position of authority that is entirely unfamiliar.

Aykroyd’s close friend Jim Belushi will be providing the voice of the Cowardly Lion, who is now reveling in his new role as guardian and protector of Oz.

Bryan Adams, who was born in Kingston in 1959, is currently penning the first songs and lyrics for the film along with his writing partner Jim Vallance.

And hopefully Adams’ issue with ‘Glee’ creator Ryan Murphy – who has publicly stated Bryan Adams has rejected requests to have his music featured on the hit TV show – will be resolved by the time he hits the red carpet, to prevent any awkwardness between him and the actress voicing the title character of Dorothy: Golden-Globe nominated actress and “Glee” star, Lea Michele.

Since Adams likely doesn’t have many memories of Kingston, Aykroyd may have to wait until he walks the red carpet for his other animated flick, Yogi Bear, to share memories of the city.

Aykroyd will voice the title character in that film (with singer-actor Justin Timberlake providing the voice of his little buddy ‘Boo Boo’) against his nemesis Ranger Smith, being portrayed by actor Tom Cavanagh – best known for his role as TV’s “Ed” and also a graduate of Kingston’s Queen’s University.

And the Oz connection to Kingston doesn’t end there – albeit less directly…

Disney is also producing a 3D prequel to the 1939 classic called “Oz, the Great and Powerful” and reportedly aiming to hire Sam Raimi as its director.  Sam Raimi – along with being the director of the Spider Man series of movies – is also the son-in-law of Queen’s University alumn, and late famed actor, Lorne Greene.

Additionally, that film is set to star Robert Downey Jr. in the role of the Great and Powerful Oz – a circus wrangler transported by tornado to the mysterious world of Oz where he gets mistaken for a know-it-all.

Robert Downey Jr also stars in the Iron Man movies as billionaire genius (and super hero) Tony Stark, who was in turn based on former Queen’s University student Elon Musk.

Dan Ayrkroyd has stated in recent interviews that he is currently developing the next GhostBusters movie, which will apparently be in 3D and already has Sigourney Weaver on board, along with all the original GhostBusters: Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson.

Bryan Adams is embarking on the South African leg of his ‘Bare Bones’ tour and recently passed the milestone of receiving 100,000,000 total views on his Youtube channel.

Tags: Bryan Adams, Dan Aykroyd, Queen's University, Wizard of Oz

Category: Entertainment, Featured